COVID-19 - Gatineau announcing new measures

Ce communiqu� a �t� publi� le 19 mars 2020. L'information dans ce communiqu� pourrait ne plus �tre � jour et certains liens pourraient ne plus �tre fonctionnels.

Ville de Gatineau

News release

COVID-19 - Gatineau announcing new measures

Gatineau, March 19, 2020. – Gatineau is introducing additional measures further to recommendations from the public�heath authorities. It will be closing its service counters effective 4:30 p.m. today. Gatineau invites the public to access municipal services online at gatineau.ca.

In order to reduce the financial stress on taxpayers, the Executive Committee�has recommended postponing the deadline for the next property tax payments. Therefore, taxes due on June 30 are now due on August 31 instead for all residential and commercial taxpayers in Gatineau. However, this recommendation is contingent upon its approval by Municipal Council at an upcoming special meeting. If approved, its official application will be then be announced.

Quick facts

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The municipal service counters at the following locations are closed until further notice:
- the service centres in the different sectors
- Service du Greffe
- municipal Court
- Service des ressources�humaines
- Bureau des conseillers
- Service des affaires juridiques
- Service des finances
- Service de l'�valuation

●	The following services are available online: - Information about and payment of municipal taxes - ticket payments - permit applications - information about property assessments - purchase of tagged overflow bags - job applications

●

There will be no water sample testing for individuals at the laboratory until further notice. However, the laboratory will continue with the water testing required pursuant to the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water for distribution facilities such as municipalities, institutions and tourist establishments serving more than 20 people.

●	In Quebec, health is a provincial responsibility, and Sant� publique coordinates health-related measures.

●	For updates, go to gatineau.ca/covid19. Gatineau will be providing regular updates on the situation.

Measures introduced for municipal staff

●	An emergency plan is in place to ensure the availability of the human resources required to maintain essential services.

●	Employees affected by the service counter closures are expected to report to work and will be assigned to other duties as appropriate.

●

A directive on COVID-19 aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of the virus in the workplace has been implemented. It aims to maintain a healthy and safe workplace, while maintaining municipal operations and services to the public. For example:
- if an employee or family member living with him/her has been diagnosed with COVID-19, that employee must remain in mandatory isolation for 14 days;
- all employees returning from a trip as of March 12, 2020 are in mandatory isolation for 14 days; and
- employees should telework whenever possible.

●	Protection measures�have been set in place to ensure the�health and safety of employees. - employees are to maintain an appropriate distance from one another in the workplace; and - disinfection procedures are in place, particularly in common spaces or in client contacts or in shared vehicles.